News & Announcements

The EUSPBA Policy Manual has received minor updates, based on recent EC meetings and discussions. more

College of Piping Survey

2/11/2013

The College of Piping is running a 2013 North American Piping Survey. The objectives of the survey are to better understand the piping community in the United States and Canada in order to help the College tailor its programs and offerings effectively. It should take 10 minutes or less to complete the survey. Click on "more" to take the survey. more

Passing: Joe Brady Sr

1/24/2013

Joe Brady Sr. passed away on January 23, 2013.Joe was a longtime active participant in EUSPBA, and was a Judge Emeritus at the time of his death.

There will be a wake on Sunday, Jan 27th from 3:00-7:00pm, at the EO Curry Funeral Home, 313 N. James Street, Peekskill, NY. Tel. 914 737-0083. www.eocurryfuneralhome.com.There will be a Mass at 12:00 noon on Monday, Jan 28th, at Assumption Church, 131 Union Avenue, Peekskill, NY.

2013 Season Regrades Announced

12/10/2012

The Music Board has announced regrades for the 2013 season. This updated list was released on 12/10/2012. more

2013 EC Election Results

11/18/2012

Thanks to Matt Wood and the 2012 Nominating Committee for working through the difficulties in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy. We now have the official results of the Executive Committee election. They are as follows: • Eric MacNeill, reelected as President • Dan Cole, reelected as Secretary • Betsy Bethel-McFarland is our new Recording Secretary • Wayne Holscott is our new Officer at Large (2)Congratulations to those who won their seats, and thank you to all who ran and all who voted.

Passing: John Kidd 1935 - 2012

11/15/2012

John Kidd, a piper and instrument maker in Asheville NC passed away in October, 2012. John was a PhD in Physics, and worked as a nuclear astrophysicist for many years. He studied acoustical physics and applied his knowledge to make improvements on the Great Highland Bagpipe, building instruments with improved clarity and power, and the ability to maintain stable and precise tuning. He was also able to modify other pipes to enhance these qualities. His shop in Asheville modified, repaired and restored pipes from all over the world.John is survived by his wife Carol Parks, two brothers, two daughters and four grandchildren.A memorial scholarship fund has been established in John's name at the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming, where John attended summer sessions for 41 years. Donations may be sent to P/M Sandy Jones, 64 Canvasback Court, Brevard, NC 28712.

Passing: Bruce Burt: 1943-2012

10/29/2012

Bruce Burt Sr. passed away on October 22, 2012, at home in St. Petersburg, Florida, after a short bout with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kitt; brother, Robert; sons Bruce, Doug and Louis; daughter, Sandra; and grandchildren Kaley, Noah, Haley, Amber and Dylan. Bruce started on pipes at age 9 with the St Andrew’s Society of Detroit Pipe Band under P/M Walter Rose. He also played with the St Thomas Pipe Band, Flint Scottish, the Red Thistle, and was P/M of the Chrysler Corporation Pipe Band. He competed as a Professional in solos and became one of the first American pipers to gain prizes on the Scottish circuit. Bruce was a long time member of the EUSPBA Judges Panel.Our sympathies go out to Bruce Burt Sr.'s family and friends at this sad time.A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2012, from 1:00-5:00pm at the American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach, Florida 33708. Please call 727-391-3670 for details. A Michigan Memorial Service will be announced when everything has been finalized.

Passing: Roderick "Roddy" MacDonald, 1941-2012

10/23/2012

The North American piping world and the EUSPBA in particular lost a major figure on October 22, 2012. Roderick W. “Roddy” MacDonald passed away in Sarasota FL.Roddy, Gladys and their only child, Calum emigrated from Scotland to Massachusetts in 1966. In the Fall of 1967, the MacDonald family moved to Wilmington, Delaware. It was here that he was able to demonstrate the skills he acquired in his homeland under the tutelage of the legendary P/M Donald Shaw Ramsay and the Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band. Roddy was immediately appointed Pipe Major of the City of Wilmington Pipe Band. It did not take long for him to convince former Invergordon drummer Kit Reynolds to move to Delaware. It was not long at all before the two of them produced a very well respected grade 2 pipe band. During the '68 & '69 competition seasons, the "original" COW was almost always in the prize list in the eastern US as well as Ontario.Roddy also enjoyed a spectacular solo piping career. Although it might be argued the overall standard of playing is higher today than 40 or 30 years ago, many who have witnessed the evolution of playing in the EUSPBA will tell you Roddy was the standard during his prime competitive years. Roddy's influence upon the EUSPBA is almost incalculable. He began by serving as president 1974-1975. It was through his leadership and inspiration that branches were first formed in the mid '70's. He didn't stop there. He was one of the very first leaders of any association to propose "stage" rather than "age" when it came to categorizing solo piping competitors.Most members are probably not aware that prior to the implementation of an amateur/professional grading system in the early '70's, competitions were set by "age". Once pipers turned 18 years of age, their fellow competitors were the likes of Roddy, Hammy Workman, George Bell and all the other great professional "adult" pipers living in the Eastern United States as well as Canada. There is little doubt what we now describe as "adult beginners" owe a huge debt of gratitude to Roddy. The "stage" system of grading has allowed countless adults the enjoyment of competing and developing their abilities well beyond the age of 18.As hard as it may seem to believe today, there was a time when piping (and drumming) competitors were not always judged by competent adjudicators. Roddy, along with George Bell, Donald Lindsay, Bob Gilchrist and several others were instrumental in creating a viable, respectable judges panel. These people set a standard that remains today. As for Roddy's judging skills, competitors always knew they were going to get a fair listen. Roddy never played favorites and always provided excellent comments on his score sheets.Roddy never stopped contributing to the betterment of piping and the EUSPBA. His latest project was the PCP program which was designed to help players at all levels.Roddy MacDonald could be considered a renaissance man in its truest sense. When one's piping career included band and solo playing, pipe majoring, instruction, judging, publishing and composing, as well as his influential administrative and organizational work for EUSPBA, it should be obvious to everyone that no remembrance of his accomplishments will be complete, including this one. Roddy will be sorely missed. The EUSPBA sends its sincerest and deepest condolences to Roddy's family.Interested readers may wish to download Roddy’s Book: A Forty Year History of EUSPBA, available elsewhere on this site.We will post service arrangements as they become available.

Annual Mailing

10/1/2012

The annual mailing includes Executive Committee ballots, membership renewals and regrade request forms. This packet has been mailed as of today. If you do not receive yours by October 9, 2012, please contact us at zecsec@EUSPBA.org.

Congratulations To EUSPBA Member Bands

8/13/2012

Congratulations to the Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band for taking first place in the Novice Juvenile grade at the World Pipe Band Championships. St. Thomas Alumni finished second place in the grade 2 final. St. Thomas Episcopal School placed second in the Juvenile grade. Oran Mor is to be congratulated for their win at North Berwick last week and strong finish in the grade 1 qualifier. Well done to all on a strong EUSPBA showing at the 2012 World Pipe Band Championships.